Motion Passed: Create a Korea Forum
#1
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,107
Motion Passed: Create a Korea Forum
Moved by SkiAdcock and seconded by Cholula:
"The TalkBoard recommends to the Community Director the creation of a Korea Forum and relocation of appropriate threads from other forums once created. The forum description will be: Countries of the Korean Peninsula"
This vote will close on August 17, 2012, at 10:52pm or after all TalkBoard members have registered their vote, whichever comes first
Per the TalkBoard Guidelines:
A motion shall pass if at least two-thirds of the yes or no votes cast by TalkBoard members are ‘yes’ and a majority of the total TalkBoard membership votes 'yes.'
The purpose of posting voting topics in the public TalkBoard Topics forum is to solicit member feedback on any motions that are up for a vote and to allow for comments after a vote is made. It is at the sole discretion of the individual TalkBoard members whether they choose to post in the public discussion thread, there being no requirement to do so.
So while there is already a thread and discussion on this general topic and it is safe to assume that TalkBoard members have reviewed that thread, this thread is about this specific motion.
Please feel free to post questions, comments or any other sort of feedback in this thread, or in the other discussion thread. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/talkb...stination.html
"The TalkBoard recommends to the Community Director the creation of a Korea Forum and relocation of appropriate threads from other forums once created. The forum description will be: Countries of the Korean Peninsula"
This vote will close on August 17, 2012, at 10:52pm or after all TalkBoard members have registered their vote, whichever comes first
Per the TalkBoard Guidelines:
A motion shall pass if at least two-thirds of the yes or no votes cast by TalkBoard members are ‘yes’ and a majority of the total TalkBoard membership votes 'yes.'
The purpose of posting voting topics in the public TalkBoard Topics forum is to solicit member feedback on any motions that are up for a vote and to allow for comments after a vote is made. It is at the sole discretion of the individual TalkBoard members whether they choose to post in the public discussion thread, there being no requirement to do so.
So while there is already a thread and discussion on this general topic and it is safe to assume that TalkBoard members have reviewed that thread, this thread is about this specific motion.
Please feel free to post questions, comments or any other sort of feedback in this thread, or in the other discussion thread. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/talkb...stination.html
#2
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: May 2002
Location: YEG
Programs: HH Silver
Posts: 56,446
Support the motion and know this forum will generate lots of informative posts about this special destination. ^
#3
Original Member, Ambassador: External Miles and Points Resources
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Digital Nomad Wandering the Earth - Currently in LIMA, PERU
Posts: 58,607
I voted for this motion in the private TB forum. ^
#5
Moderator: Smoking Lounge; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: SFO
Programs: Lifetime (for now) Gold MM, HH Gold, Giving Tootsie Pops to UA employees, & a retired hockey goalie
Posts: 28,878
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
i would consider it a plus
#7
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: SFO
Programs: UA MM, SQ KrisFlyer, SPG/Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,231
Korea is a destination, especially for transit at ICN. It deserves its own forum.
#8
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Home
Programs: AA, Delta, UA & thanks to FTers for my PC Gold!
Posts: 7,676
May I ask why a change of heart, if any, this time around? Any convincing arguments that had won you over?
Allow me to reiterate my question: "Have things changed significantly on FT w/r/t destination Korea since 2009?"
Since 2007, several things have changed.
1. US and South Korea has signed a free trade agreement.
2. South Koreans no longer requires a tourist visa to visit US.
Meaning South Koreans are more willing to visit US? US is doing more free trade with South Korea? How is it relevant to FT? What did that mean on FT and in the context of FT?
I applause OP's effort in promoting Korea but I personally don't see significant FT implication and relevance from his supporting evidence. For instance, I know Korean films and music is kind of big in Asia market, I sincerely doubt any Korean film/drama/music fans would come to destination Korea and discussion their passion in English on FT. From my reading of China and Hong Kong Forum (both standalone and popular fora), neither carries weight on that kind of discussion threads.
As an Asia Forum regular, I have yet to see Korea discussion threads dominate Asia Forum. Korea didn't have an edge and hasn't. Most, if not all, Korea discussion threads tend to be short and/or lukewarm, i.e. fewer than 15 posts for a single thread. This Korean food thread is of exemplary exception. Even I had asked for it, nobody has provided evidence Korea discussion threads scattered "all over FT." I personally haven't seen too much change even after the 1st round of this proposal since September 2009. On top of my head, I'd say I see more threads quantitatively and qualitatively about visiting S.E. Asia than Korea.
Are there passionate followers of destination Korea? Yes, indeed there are and I can count them all in one hand. That's me being generous.
Is a critical mass of posts and readers anticipated or existing?
Let me answer it using an extreme case. This Korean native who had "declared" intention to participate in Korea discussion in 2009 still holds a record of zero Korea post in Asia Forum as of today. I didn't count and am not sure how many of the supporters of this proposal/motion actually did participate in Korea discussion over Asia Forum. Action speaks louder than words. And threads speak volume. Let's not forget about what happened to Senior Travel Forum. I say our Canadian Evangelist tcook052 shows more initiative in Korea discussion since late 2010.
I am sure Korea is a nice destination to visit, just like Malaysia, Cambodia and Indonesia. Each country has its own unique offering and tourist attractions. But to be honest, there's just not enough FT traffic/threads/cult to justify the creation of Korea Forum, just like our OMNI/Sports.
Having said that, I sense FT traffic, aka the unmet need, is any determinant factor for the current TB from the voting record on recent motions. I know for a fact that some current TBers who don't value as much of the criteria for creating new fora and had publicly stated their position. However, for those TBers who haven't cast your votes, please exercise your best judgment based on the merits, or lack of, in this proposal/motion.
Allow me to reiterate my question: "Have things changed significantly on FT w/r/t destination Korea since 2009?"
1. US and South Korea has signed a free trade agreement.
2. South Koreans no longer requires a tourist visa to visit US.
I applause OP's effort in promoting Korea but I personally don't see significant FT implication and relevance from his supporting evidence. For instance, I know Korean films and music is kind of big in Asia market, I sincerely doubt any Korean film/drama/music fans would come to destination Korea and discussion their passion in English on FT. From my reading of China and Hong Kong Forum (both standalone and popular fora), neither carries weight on that kind of discussion threads.
As an Asia Forum regular, I have yet to see Korea discussion threads dominate Asia Forum. Korea didn't have an edge and hasn't. Most, if not all, Korea discussion threads tend to be short and/or lukewarm, i.e. fewer than 15 posts for a single thread. This Korean food thread is of exemplary exception. Even I had asked for it, nobody has provided evidence Korea discussion threads scattered "all over FT." I personally haven't seen too much change even after the 1st round of this proposal since September 2009. On top of my head, I'd say I see more threads quantitatively and qualitatively about visiting S.E. Asia than Korea.
Are there passionate followers of destination Korea? Yes, indeed there are and I can count them all in one hand. That's me being generous.
Is a critical mass of posts and readers anticipated or existing?
Let me answer it using an extreme case. This Korean native who had "declared" intention to participate in Korea discussion in 2009 still holds a record of zero Korea post in Asia Forum as of today. I didn't count and am not sure how many of the supporters of this proposal/motion actually did participate in Korea discussion over Asia Forum. Action speaks louder than words. And threads speak volume. Let's not forget about what happened to Senior Travel Forum. I say our Canadian Evangelist tcook052 shows more initiative in Korea discussion since late 2010.
I am sure Korea is a nice destination to visit, just like Malaysia, Cambodia and Indonesia. Each country has its own unique offering and tourist attractions. But to be honest, there's just not enough FT traffic/threads/cult to justify the creation of Korea Forum, just like our OMNI/Sports.
Having said that, I sense FT traffic, aka the unmet need, is any determinant factor for the current TB from the voting record on recent motions. I know for a fact that some current TBers who don't value as much of the criteria for creating new fora and had publicly stated their position. However, for those TBers who haven't cast your votes, please exercise your best judgment based on the merits, or lack of, in this proposal/motion.
Last edited by lin821; Aug 5, 2012 at 2:10 pm Reason: adding link to a reference thread
#9
Join Date: Jan 2006
Programs: Skyteam
Posts: 5,759
When there is a product with a value - which South Korea definitely has with over 9 million tourists each year and 15th ranked GDP economy - will only benefit more business and travelers alike to visit FT.
#10
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Home
Programs: AA, Delta, UA & thanks to FTers for my PC Gold!
Posts: 7,676
As to why and how I participate in Asia Forum is OT for the motion at hand. Simply put, I consider my posts in Asia Forum a form of giving back to FT.
FWIW, quite a few business travelers came to FT and stay comfortably in the airline fora of their preference. They have close to zero desire to engage in discussion over destination fora. Speaking from my personal experience, I know quite a few FTers who are very knowledgeable about my home country but hardly ever post in Asia Forum about it, let alone answering (destination) questions. Yet, you'll find their posts in airline fora easily.
Rather than "visit FT", don't you mean "to visit South Korea?"
Tourism Stats:
According to "wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Tourism_rankings"...
In the Asia and the Pacific region, South Korea had the 7th most tourist arrival in the region, with 9.6 Million people in 2011. Ranking above India with 6.29 million and Japan with 6.22 million tourists
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Tourism_rankings
According to "wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Tourism_rankings"...
In the Asia and the Pacific region, South Korea had the 7th most tourist arrival in the region, with 9.6 Million people in 2011. Ranking above India with 6.29 million and Japan with 6.22 million tourists
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Tourism_rankings
I am also not sure how many of those 9 million South Korea tourists did know about FT, let alone visiting FT. Those numbers might be one indicator of business and leisure travelers to visit South Korea. Whether it can be translated directly into FT traffic, that's the question!
My question remains: "Have things changed significantly on FT w/r/t destination Korea since 2009?"
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,145
I apologise for a shallow response, but it doesn't strike me as being a major benefit for the [perceived] few who go there.
My vote is NO.
My vote is NO.
#12
Join Date: Jan 2006
Programs: Skyteam
Posts: 5,759
From the same Wikipedia reference, Malaysia outranks South Korea with 24.7 million international tourist arrivals in 2011. I don't see Malaysia discussion threads outnumber Korea ones in Asia Forum though.
I am also not sure how many of those 9 million South Korea tourists did know about FT, let alone visiting FT. Those numbers might be one indicator of business and leisure travelers to visit South Korea. Whether it can be translated directly into FT traffic, that's the question!
I am also not sure how many of those 9 million South Korea tourists did know about FT, let alone visiting FT. Those numbers might be one indicator of business and leisure travelers to visit South Korea. Whether it can be translated directly into FT traffic, that's the question!
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
Programs: UA 1K 0.9MM, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Hertz PC, SBux Gold, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 13,811
Sure why not?
BTW - the new Korean forum will be the least political as we can imagine.
Does DPRK have internet to access FT anyway?
BTW - the new Korean forum will be the least political as we can imagine.
Does DPRK have internet to access FT anyway?
#14
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Southeast USA
Programs: various
Posts: 6,710
DPRK has no internet access.
I see far more threads on the Indochina countries especially Vietnam, so to me that warrants consideration of a dedicated forum before Korea does.
No malice towards Korea as a travel destination, just observing the traffic and taking a volume-based point of view. I'm sure there are members here with their "pet" destination either because of ethnic ties or fond memories, but what's of practical use to the greatest number of people should be the driver. IMO.
I see far more threads on the Indochina countries especially Vietnam, so to me that warrants consideration of a dedicated forum before Korea does.
No malice towards Korea as a travel destination, just observing the traffic and taking a volume-based point of view. I'm sure there are members here with their "pet" destination either because of ethnic ties or fond memories, but what's of practical use to the greatest number of people should be the driver. IMO.
#15
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Denver, CO USA
Programs: UA-Gold, 1MM, Marriott Gold, Global Entry
Posts: 1,086
I support the Korea Forum. I would like the creative imaginative spirit of The Korean Peninsula to have a forum here on Flyertalk. All-in for Korea!